Event Report
The results are in for the 1st Neglected Tropical Diseases Student Contest: 6 winning entries announced, including the Grand Prize, U-18 Special Award, GHIT Award, and Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Award.
To raise awareness and combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which affect 1.6 billion people worldwide, students have presented their ideas and thoughts. Starting from March 1st, we have begun streaming the works of recipients and the award ceremony.
■ Contest Overview
As part of the coordinated activities for World NTD Day (January 30), this contest targeted students ranging from middle school to graduate school. Participants could enter individually or in teams of up to four members. The contest was held with two categories: Category A focused on "Communicating NTDs in an understandable way—Share NTDs in your own words," while Category B centered on "Thinking about what we can do—Our involvement with NTDs."
■ Results of Entries
The total number of entries was 20 teams (53 participants) for Category A and 15 teams (26 participants) for Category B. The majority of applicants were high school and university teams, comprising 40% of the total entries each. Additionally, approximately 60% of the applicants learned about NTDs for the first time through this contest. From these applicants, 5 teams (11 participants) passed the initial selection by the World NTD Day Japan Organizing Committee, and 6 teams (9 participants) advanced to the final selection round.
■ Final Selection
The final selection took place on January 28, 2024 at the Yamanoue Hall, University of Tokyo (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo). Six judges involved in NTDs from various sectors, including government, private sector, and academia, conducted the final evaluation, determining the award-winning entries.
〈Final Judges〉 (in alphabetical order)
- Mina Ohata (Senior Manager, GHIT Fund Brand Communication)
- Takeshi Okada (Deputy Director, International Health Cooperation Office, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
- Chisato Sanjoba (Associate Professor, Department of Applied Immunology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo)
- Yuka Takeshita (Editor-in-Chief, Asahi Shimbun with Planet)
- Akisumi Tomita (Director, Contest Operations Department, NTDs Youth's Association)
- Izumi Fujii (NTD Group, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association / Malaria and Praziquantel Project Lead, Astellas Pharma Sustainability Department)
The final selection session, January 28, 2024
University of Tokyo's Sanjo Hall (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
photographed by Daiki Chiba
The GHIT Award winning team presenting at the final selection meeting,
January 28, 2024
University of Tokyo's Sanjo Conference Hall (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo),
photographed by Chiba Daiki
Takehiro Okada of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare asks a question at the final selection meeting.
January 28, 2024
University of Tokyo's Sanjo Conference Hall (Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo)
photo taken by Daiki Chiba
■ Award Ceremony (World NTD Day)
On January 30, 2024, World NTD Day, an online award ceremony was held where award certificates were presented to representatives of the winning teams. The ceremony was streamed starting from March 1 (Click here). Winners expressed their commitment, with comments such as, "We want to continue broadening our perspectives and doing what we can," and "While I had heard of diseases included in NTDs, many are unaware of the framework, so I aim to raise awareness among my friends."
■ Winning Entry (Category A)
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■ Winning Entry (Category B)
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Category A Grand Prize Winner:
The winner of the Category A Grand Prize is Mr. Koda Maki, a 5th-year medical student from Oita University School of Medicine. He presented a clear and engaging video focusing on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through the lens of lymphatic filariasis, which is believed to have affected Ryoma Sakamoto. The video's well-paced structure and content were highly praised for keeping viewers captivated throughout.
Category B Grand Prize Winner:
The winner of the Category B Grand Prize is Mr. Kensuke Waki, a 4th-year medical student from Osaka Public University School of Medicine. He was recognized for his presentation on drug development efforts aimed at Chagas disease, primarily endemic in Central and South America. His research, leveraging his experience in El Salvador, was highly acclaimed for its innovative approach towards finding new treatments.
U-18 Special Prize for Category A:
The recipients of the U-18 Special Prize in Category A are Mr. Soka Shinotsuka, Mr. Yoko Nakamatsu, Ms. Riko Yamamoto, and Ms. Sakura Katai, all first-year students in the Nursing Department at Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Comprehensive High School (pictured from left to right). They presented their findings from a survey conducted on Instagram among 100 high school students, revealing that 80% responded with "unaware" regarding NTDs. Their initiative to raise awareness about NTDs emphasized the importance of starting with actions like donations.
U-18 Special Prize for Category B:
The recipients of the U-18 Special Prize in Category B are Ms. Aika Oyama and Ms. Ayano Kuga, both second-year students at Fukuoka Prefectural Shuyukan High School (pictured from left to right). They were recognized for their concrete proposal to collaborate with businesses in implementing initiatives similar to the Red Cup Campaign by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Their idea highlighted how purchasing specific products could contribute to supporting efforts towards the control of NTDs.
GHIT Award "Problem Solving through Partnerships":
The recipients of the GHIT Award in recognition of "Problem Solving through Partnerships" are Ms. Aoi Isofi, Ms. Yuehong Wei, Ms. Yuna Furukawa, and Ms. Isuzu Tadokoro (pictured from left to right), all first-year students in the Nursing Department at Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Comprehensive High School. They highlighted the significance of international initiatives such as the "London Declaration" and the "Kigali Declaration" in combating NTDs, emphasizing the necessity for collaboration among various stakeholders including government, industry, and civil society to address NTDs effectively.
The Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Award "Sharing Medicine and Emotions Together":
The recipients of the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Award "Sharing Medicine and Emotions Together" are Ms. Keika Hirono and Ms. Ayaka Miyazaki (pictured from left to right), both third-year students at Tokyo Gakugei University International Secondary School. They emphasized the importance of leveraging Japan's medical technology and Official Development Assistance (ODA) while considering the characteristics and environment of recipient countries to provide sustainable and supportive assistance. Their approach highlighted the potential for fostering understanding and trust in Japan, earning them recognition for their efforts.
In the field of international health, including Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), one of the challenges is the limited opportunities for people to consider these issues as their own. However, through this contest, many participants expressed that they were able to engage with and act on these neglected issues by reflecting, contemplating, and presenting their ideas. Participants took the initiative to research independently and effectively communicate their findings, which deepened their understanding.
NTDs Youth aims to increase awareness of the critical need to control NTDs, which affect 1.6 billion people worldwide, and to encourage more individuals to take action as their own issue. Moving forward, we will continue our efforts alongside organizations both domestically and globally dedicated to combating NTDs.
■ Organizational Structure of the "First Neglected Tropical Disease Student Contest" 2024
Host: World NTD Day Japan Executive Committee
Organizer: General Incorporated Association NTDs Youth
Organizing Entities: Nagasaki University Institute of Tropical Medicine, Japan Alliance on Neglected Tropical Diseases (JAGntd), Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, Specific Nonprofit Organization SDGs Promise Japan (SPJ), General Incorporated Association NTDs Youth, Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative Japan (DNDi Japan), Public Interest Incorporated Association GHIT Fund, Specific Nonprofit Organization Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), General Incorporated Association Japan Tropical Medicine Association Student Section (J-Trops), Japanese Association for Global Health Student Section (jagh-s), GR Japan Co., Ltd., Japan Veterinary Medical Student Association (JAVS), AMSA Japan, Student Organization SOLS, and Student Organization MedCali
Sponsorship: Public Interest Incorporated Association GHIT Fund, Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, GR Japan Co., Ltd.